Advice on good quiet dark spot near Byron Bay

[shahgazer]

Hi all.

It's been a while. Finally got the schedule work out nicely to do another astrophotography trip to Australia.

Looking at the date of events, looks like StarStuff II will be organised on 7-8 July 2018. Missed the event last year though.

I was thinking of staying a good 3-4 nights before the conference for some imaging sessions. Any advice on good dark spot around Byron Bay, NSW? Not too far, maybe a 2-hour drive seems reasonable. A simple lodging would be nice. Couldn't find any good info on the web.

Thanks all!

Regards

[AstralTraveller]

Hi Shah,

I'm not a local so I'm just going from maps etc. Hopefully someone better informed will pipe up.

The term 'dark' is subjective and relative but looking at this map (https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/#zoom=9&lat=-3338825&lon=17028709&layers=B0FFFTFFFF) I think you need to be out around Kyogle or further west.

Most small town have a caravan park and these generally have self-contained cabins a bit like this (https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-28.3882078,152.6067198,3a,75y,95.72 h,90.83t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sUEbVobD5Z-ayXhztV0qDcA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656). However the parks themselves often suffer from over-zealous 'safety' lighting.

Farmstays and Bed and Breakfasts (B&Bs) located out of town could be an option, esp probably the B&Bs if you are only staying a few nights. The 'quaint' little town of Nimbin is in a relatively dark spot, has lots of accommodation and the smoke has reportedly cleared a bit these days ;).

https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Hotels-g529009-c2-Nimbin_New_South_Wales-Hotels.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Tourism-g255058-New_South_Wales-Vacations.html#MAPVIEW

https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/VacationRentals-g529009-Reviews-Nimbin_New_South_Wales-Vacation_Rentals.html


I notice also that there is a B&B in the famous little village of Tabulam. (http://www.chauvelpark.com/) which looks to be set well back off the road and away from other buildings. Perhaps a local could give us a review?

Happy photography Shah.

[shahgazer]

Thanks David,

I was already spoilt by Coonabarabran's sky, having visited there 4 times! :rofl: Looking by the distance from Byron Bay, I don't think I want to drive another 8-9 hours drive again!

Thanks for the choices. I will study them thoroughly. :thumbsup: Not sure about the weather pattern there in July though. Good? Average?